Merry Christmas 2006

Our new Texas look!

Dear Family and Friends,

Here’s an update on our lives over the past two years, as we didn’t get around to sending out a Christmas E-letter last year.

2005

• In January, assisted with tsunami relief in Banda Aceh, Indonesia along with Jeff & Laura Davies.
• In March, visited Jeremy & Shelly Abbott in Scottsdale, AZ.
• In July, greeted Joey & Heidi's new son, Caleb John Steffen.
• In August, Craig passed his Internal Medicine boards.
• In September, enjoyed good times on the water with friends at Lake Mohave.
• Shortly after that, went to Japan to teach medical residents at Asahi General & Hamamatsu Hospitals. While there, summitted Mt. Fuji for sunrise (Michelle was climbing for two) and went to the Aichi World Expo.
• In October, went back to Michelle's 10 year class reunion at Great Lakes Adventist Academy in MI.

2006

• On February 16, Micah John Chaya, aka "WaBubba", intruded upon our lives and is holding us hostage. We have conceeded to his demands for love, milk, and fresh diapers. He rewards us with slobbery wet kisses and hypnotizing smiles.
• In March, flew to find a new home in Lubbock, TX.
• In May, Craig & some high school buds went to Lake Mohave to work on their tans, while Michelle's friend Dana Zinke came down to L.A. for a visit.
• In June, Michelle (& Micah) completed her Family Nurse Practitioner/MSN degree at UCLA. Yes, Micah has already attended grad school. Baby Einstein is for sissies!
• Craig also said goodbye to friends and colleagues at the West LA VA Medical Center.
• Later that month, the Ohm clan journeyed to Lake Mohave (yes, we love it there) for a houseboating family vacation.
• At the end of June, Craig went up to Stanford, CA to begin training in Ophthalmology.
• In July, visited friends Lenden and Lorie Webb at their Fresno, CA homestead. While up there, toured Yosemite Valley rafting down the river.
• At the end of July, Craig made the long trek to Lubbock, TX, to begin his Ophthalmology residency, while Michelle and Micah stayed back in L.A. to sell our "Extreme Makeover" home project. The days of gardenhose showers and campstove dinners are finally behind us.
• In September, Michelle and Micah said goodbye to UCLA ER friends/colleagues & Santa Monica church family (we miss you all) and reunited with Craig in Lubbock.
• At the end of September, we flew to Madison, WI, for a week of training for Craig and to visit the Zinke's in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
• In Novemeber, flew back to Loma Linda to celebrate Thanksgiving and an early Christmas with the Ohm and Chaya families.

Currently, Michelle is studying for her FNP boards while caring for Micah. In return, Micah loves to traipse her all over the house and dazzle her with his smiles and giggles. Meanwhile, Craig is learning how to safely inject eyeballs (all those hours playing darts are finally paying off).

The upcoming year promises to be exponentially BIG, as Micah will welcome four new cousins to the family (congrats Karlee, Candi, Linda, and Heidi).

We pray ya'll are swell and enjoyin' life. Thank yas for yer many updates, phone calls, and visits. We wish ya'll a wonderful Christmas and New Years, and pray God’s blessin's on yer homesteads. Bye fer now, we're fixin' to go huntin' for wild Tofu.

Love,
Papa Craig, Mama Michelle, and Lil' Micah Chaya